Vehicle body construction



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept 30, 1941- E. R. BARRETT VEHICLEl BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1940 Sept 30, 1941- E. R. BARRETT VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l2,- 1940 y INVENTOR HWarK-'ffef ./ntMLl NIV.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTION Edward R. Barrett, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Gar Wood Industries, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application June 12, 1940, Serial No. 340,151

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to vehicle body constructions, and Vparticularly relates `to improvements in the type of dump body constructions disclosed and claimed in the copending api- ,plication of Edward R. Barrett, Serial No. 315,- 646, filed January 26, 1940.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is t provide an improved construction ofthe type mentioned in which standard sections `are used, such sections` being adapted to be used on different size bodies, thereby effecting manufacturing economies.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved constructions of the type mentioned which are attractive in appearance and which have such side surface constructions as to be `adapted for the reception of attractive and legi- `an improved and rugged body construction which may be readily constructed with the use of spot welding methods, thereby effecting economies in manufacture.

Other objects 0f the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, in which like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a vehicle dump body embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial plane view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial, cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken `substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 6 is a partial, rear view of the structure shown in Fig.- 1, with the tail gate removed.

Referring to the drawings, the chassis of an .automotive dump truck is generally indicated at I0, having` rear ground engaging wheels I2 nmounted thereon in the usual way. A body, according to the present invention, is generally 1ndicated at I4, and is pivotally mounted with respect to the chassis l0 about transversely aligned pivot points I6 located adjacent the rear end of the chassis.

The body I4 `is formed of three main sections, namely, a longitudinally extending central section I8 and oppositely disposed side sections 20 and 22'. Such sections are formed of sheet metal land may be welded together as indicated at 24, or

may be spot welded along the faces of the abutting flanges.

The central section I8 has depending side portions 26 extending longitudinally thereof which terminate in inwardly turned flanges 28.

Each of the side sections 20 and 22 has upstanding side walls 29 adjacent the outer sides thereof, `and has depending portions 30 extending longitudinally of the inner edges thereof, which terminate in outwardly disposed flanges 32. The depending portions 30 are of greater depth than the depending portions 26 so that they depend a substantial distance below flanges 28, for a purpose which will be pointed out in greater detail hereinafter.

The chassis I0 includes longitudinally extending side members 34 of inwardly disposed channel section, thereby providing top and bottom inwardly disposed flanges 3,6.

A hoist sub-frame, generally indicated at 38,

,is mounted on the chassis I8 and is xed thereto.

Such sub-frame 38 includes longitudinally extending sill members 40 ofZ-cross-section, thereby :providing outwardly disposed bottom flanges 42 and inwardly disposed top flanges 44. The flange 38 is substantially coextensive with the rear carrying portion of the chassis l0, and also includes transversely extending bracing members (not shown) so that a rugged and rigid frame unit is` provided. A hoisting `mechanism is mounted on 4the sub-frame 38 `and is connected t0 the bodyso tha-t upon actuation of the hoisting mechanism the body is tilted with respect to the chassis and with respect to the sub-frame 38 about pivots I6. The hoisting mechanism is not shown in theA present drawings, and may be of conventional construction. It is preferably of l the construction disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Edward R. Barrett, Serial No. 308,303, filed December 8, 1939.

The sub-frame 38 having the hoisting mechanism mounted thereon may then be mounted as a unit on the chassis I 0. The flanges 42 seat upon upper flanges 36 and are suitably fixed thereto, such as by lbolts 48.

The body :I4 is constructed with vertically dis- A plurality of outwardly disposed bottom sup- 4 port members 56, of Z-cross-section thereby forming top flanges 58 and bottom anges 60, are provided. Such support members 56 are disposed at spaced intervals along the length of the body I4 adjacent the reinforcing members 50.V

The members 56 are of uniform` ldepth and are of substantially the same depth as the depth of depending portions 30. The inner ends of lower flanges 60 of members -56 are adapted to seat upon anges 32 and beiixed thereto by Vspot welding. The upper flanges 58 bear against the undersides of the bottoms of side members and 22, and are spot welded thereto; The router edges of members l56 terminate substantially ush with the side walls 29 and are fixed to the downwardly extending or depending portions of members 56 by means of longitudinally extending anglemembers 62. The angle member 62 has its downwardly disposed flange welded to the members 5i! adjacent the lower ends thereof, and has itsinwardly disposed horizontal flange welded to the bottom flanges 60 of members 65.

Considering the structures so far described, it

will ybe seen that the members 56 contribute toward a rugged body construction through their connections with the depending portions 30, the bottoms of sides 26 and 22, and with members 56. It will also be evident that members 50, 56 and 62 are standard sections, so that substantial lengths of such sections may be kept on hand.` Such standard sections may be used in constructing bodies of different widths and bodies of different heights merely by cutting off such sections to the desired lengths. Considerable manufacturing economies are thereby effected, since it is not then necessary to keep on vhand a plurality of different sections of different sizes.

The spaces between the members 56 and anges 36 may be utilized for storage compartments, or may be left vacant if desired. Panel members 64 may be fixed to the members 56 and to the angle members 62, thereby xing such members with respect to Ythe members 56, by welding if desired. Such panel members 64 are substantially flush with the outside surface of sides 29, so that they form continuations thereof. Other of the panel members, such as indicated at 66y may be hingedly connected to the sides 29 by hinges indicated at 68, forming doors so that the compartment behind is accessible. A bottom plate 'lil is fixed to the lower flanges 60 of members 56 in this section, as shown in Figs.

` 3 and 5, forming the bottom of the compartment. lIn this section the members 56 are so disposed ispreferably constructed with' inturned iianges memset which may be provided with cut-out portions for removable attachment to the angle members 62 or to the members 5U. The reason for this is evident, as it will be appreciated that it is necessary to remove the panel 'l2 when removing or attaching the wheel l2.

With the construction above described, when the body is in its lowered position, it is supported upon flanges M of members 40 in that flanges 26 rest thereon. It will thus be seen that portions 30 of the sides 20 and 22 extend below fianges 28, so that the body I4 straddles the subframe 38.

The side portions 30 extend their full length along members, so that the depending portions of Vsaidsides bear against members 4D from the pivot point to the front of the body. Therefore, it will be evident that as the body is lowered, the depending portions of sides 30 always engage the members 46 in overlapping or straddling relationship, so that the body is self-aligning while it is lowered. The members 56, in their relationship with sides 2D and 22 and members 56, serve to strengthen the body and provide an extremely rugged construction. Elements of relatively light gauge may be used,` and it will be appreciated that this is important since the maximum pay-load may be carried. Also, sincethe elements '56 are relatively shallow and since the panels 64, 68 and 12 form continuations of the sides,. the sides of the truck are attractive in appearance and arel available for the reception of suitableindicia thereon. This is an important matter in construction of trucks of this type.

Formal changes may be made in the 'specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, the scope of'which is' commensurate with the appended claims. Y

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle body comprising a central member and oppositely disposed side members secured to said central member, the outer edges of Ysaid central member having integral depending portions terminating in inwardly disposed flanges, thelinner edges of said side members having integral depending portions terminating in outwardly disposed anges, the depending Vportions of said side members extending below the flanges on thedepending portions of said central member, said side members having upstanding side walls adjacent the outer edges thereof, outwardly extending bottom support members of Z'sectio'n, said support members being of uniform and substantially the same depth as the depending portions of said side members, the top flanges of said support members being secured to the bottoms of said side members and the bottom flanges of said support members being secured to the outwardly disposed iianges of the depending portions 'of' said side members, said support members terminating substantially iiush with the sides of said side members, and panel members secured to said support members adjacent the outer edges' thereof and forminga depending continuation of the sides of said side members. f

2. A vehicle body comprising acentral member and oppositely disposed side members secured to saidcen'tral member, the outer edges of said central member having integral depending portions terminating `in Vinwardly 'disposed flanges, the inner edges of said side members having integral depen-ding portions terminating in outwardly disposed flanges, the depending portions of said side members extending below the flanges on the de- `pencling portionsof said central member, lsaid Ysidemembers having upstanding side walls adja- ,cient the outer edges thereof, outwardly extend- V,ing ,bottom` support members of Z-section, said support. members being of uniform and substan- 'tially the same depth as the depending portions fof said side members, the top flanges of said suppoi't members being secured to the bottoms of said side members and the bottom anges of said support `members being secured to the outwardly disposed flanges of the depending portions of said side members, said support members terminating substantially iiush with the sides of said side members, panel members removably secured to said support members and being of substantially the same depth forming a depending continuation of the sides of said side members, and bottom panels secured to -certain of said support members between said panel members and said depending portions of said side members, forming storage compartments therein.

3. A vehicle body comprising a central member and oppositely disposed side members secured to said central member, the outer edges of said central member having integral depending portions terminating in inwardly disposed flanges, the inner edges of said side members having integral depending portions terminating in outwardly disposed iianges, the depending portions of said side members extending below the flanges on the depending portions of said central member, said side members having upstanding side walls adjacent the outer edges thereof, outwardly extending bottom support members of Z-section, said support members being of uniform and substantially the same depth as the depending portions of said side members, the top flanges of said support members being secured to the bottoms of said side members and the bottom flanges,l of said support members being secured to the outwardly disposed flanges of the depending portions of said side members, said support members terminating substantially ush with the sides of said side members, -panel members secured to said support members adjacent the outer edges thereof and forming a depending continuation of the sides of said side members, and means removably mounting certain of said panel members to said support members.

4. A vehicle body comprising `a central member and oppositely disposed side members secured to said central member,`the outer edges of said central member having integral depending portions terminating in inwardly disposed flanges. the inner edges of said side members having integral depending portions terminating in outwardly disposed flanges, the depending portions of said side members extending below the flanges on the depending portions of said central member, said side members having up` standing side walls adjacent the outer edges thereof, depending reinforcing members secured to the outer surfaces of the sides of said side members and extending downwardly therebelow, outwardly extending bottom support members of uniform depth and of substantially the same depth as the depth of the depending portions of said side portions, said support members being secured to said last-named depending portions at the inner edges thereof and being secured to the downwardly extending portions of said reinforcing members adjacent the outer edges of said support members.

5. A vehicle body comprising a central member and] oppositely disposed side `members secured to-said central member, Vthe `outer edges "of'said central member having integral depending portions terminatingin inwardly disposed` flanges, the inner edges of said side members A'having integral depending portions terminating -1noutwardly disposed flanges, the depending portions of said side members extending below the `fdanges on the depending portions of saidcentral memben said side members having upstanding `sidewalls adjacent the -outer edges thereof, de-

pending reinforcing members secured to the outer surfaces of the sides of said side members and extending downwardly therebelow, outwardly extending support members of Z-section having the top flanges thereof secured to the bottoms of said side members and having the bottom flanges thereof secured to the outwardly disposed flanges of the depending portions of said side members adjacent the inner ends of said support members, the outer ends of said support members being secured to the downwardly extending portions of said reinforcing members.

6. Avehicle body comprising a central member and oppositely disposed side members secured to said central member, the outer edges of said central member having integral depending portions terminating in inwardly disposed flanges, the inner edges of said side members having integral depending portions terminating in outwardly disposed flanges, the depending portions of said side members extending below the flanges on the depending portions of said central member, said side members having upstanding side walls adjacent the outer edges thereof, dependlng reinforcing members secured to the outer surfaces of the sides of said side members and extending downwardly therebelow, outwardly extending support members of Z-section having the top flanges thereof secured to the bottoms of said side members and having the bottom flanges thereof secured to the outwardly disposed flanges of the depending portions of said side members adjacent the inner ends of said support members, the outer ends of said support members being secured to the downwardly extending portions of said reinforcing members, and panel members mounted adjacent the outer ends of said support members substantially flush with the sides of said side members forming a depending continuation of said sides.

7. A vehicle body comprising a central member and oppositely disposed side members secured to said central member, the outer edges of said central member having integral depending portions, the inner edges of said side members having integral depending portions, said depending portions being secured to each other, said side members having upstanding side walls adjacent the outer edges thereof, depending reinforcing members secured to the outer surfaces of the sides of said side members and extending downwardly therebelow, outwardly extending bottom support members of uniform depth and of substantially the same depth as the depth of the depending portions of said side members, said support members being secured to said last named depending portions at the inner edges thereof and being secured to the downwardly extending portions of said reinforcing members djacent the outer edges of said support memers.

8. A vehicle body comprising a central member and oppositely disposed side members secured the depending portions of the central-member,

rsaid depending portions being secured to each other, said side members having upstanding side walls adjacent the outer edges thereof, depending reinforcing members secured to the outero surfaoes of the sides of said side members and extending downwardly therebelow, outwardly extending bottom support members of uniform depth and of substantially the same depth yas the'depth `of the depending portions of said side members, said support members being secured `to said last named depending portions at the inner edges thereof and being secured to the downwardly extending portions of said reinforcing vmembers adjacent the outer edges of said support members.

EDWARD R. BARRETT. 

